How to pay for huge transportation needs?

All three candidates were asked to specify how they’d come up with the massive funds needed to meet Texas’ transportation needs — toll roads, a higher gasoline tax or more debt.

Gov. Rick Perry said he opposes a gasoline tax and said he thinks the solution will include private sector involvement, which would include new toll roads. But he emphasized that existing roads can’t be tolled.

From U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, we got no answer; instead, she questioned whether more money will be needed. If it turns out to be needed, she said, she would work with the Legislature to come up with a solution.

“You’re saying that we need more money. I want to do an audit of TxDOT,” she said.

From activist Debra Medina, we got a state sovereignty answer. She also questioned size of the projected need for funds and voiced support for an audit.

Further, she said, “We need to exercise state sovereignty” and keep its transportation tax dollars instead of remitting them to the federal government: “Texas will decide how we’re goingto spend those tax dollars.